Cheers! Chin Chin! Prost! - Beyond Toscano (2024)

However you say it, the act of raising a glass, proposing a toast, and drinking to good health, is a tradition that dates back centuries. It’s mentioned in the Bible, in the poems of Homer, and even crops up in Greek mythology, when the Gods wish each other well.

The Latin origins of the word ‘prost’, used by many to toast, is ‘prosit’, meaning ‘to mutual benefit’. In English, the word ‘cheers’ is used most commonly, interestingly in Italian too. It comes from an old Anglo-French word - ‘chere’, meaning the face. To have cheer, is to have a happy, positive expression, so cheers, is wishing happiness.

Then there’s ‘chin chin’, another toasting phrase, which as you may have guessed, originates in China, where the Cantonese ‘ch’ing chi’ng’, meaning ‘please please’, was appropriated by sailors due to the delightful onomatopoeia of two glasses chiming together in a toast.

Cheers, prost, santé, alla salute, whichever words you use, just be sure to toast with more than a glass of water, look others in the eye as you toast and always take a sip before returning your glass to the table.

Cheers! Chin Chin! Prost!  - Beyond Toscano (2024)

FAQs

Why do Italians say chin chin when toasting? ›

Chin Chin seems to derive from an ancient Cantonese greeting (qǐng qǐng – 请请). This expression became popular among European merchants, who transcribed it as chin chin. The Italians liked it a lot because it reminded them of the sound of clinking glasses, and they adopted it as a toast.

What is the chin chin greeting? ›

In France, Italy and sometimes Britain, the word for “cheers” has Chinese origins. “Cin-cin!” (pronounced chin-chin) is uttered by Italians when they raise and clink their glasses together in a toast before sipping from a flute of spumante sparkling wine as they look each other directly in the eye.

Why do we say chin chin? ›

Then there's 'chin chin', another toasting phrase, which as you may have guessed, originates in China, where the Cantonese 'ch'ing chi'ng', meaning 'please please', was appropriated by sailors due to the delightful onomatopoeia of two glasses chiming together in a toast.

Where is chin chin from? ›

Chin chin is a fried snack from Nigeria, it is known as atchom*on in Togo and Benin, achom*o in Ghana, and croquette in Cameroon. It is similar to the Scandinavian snack klenat, a crunchy, donut-like baked or fried dough of wheat flour, and other customary baking items.

How do you say cheers in Tuscany? ›

Salute. This is the most common way to say cheers in Italian and a pretty universal Italian toasting expression.

What do Italians say instead of cheers? ›

'Cin cin' is the most common way to say 'cheers' in Italian. This is a casual and informal toast that is commonly used among friends and family. "Salute" is another way to say "cheers," which is more formal and is often used in more formal settings, such as a dinner party or a business event.

What is the difference between salute and chin chin? ›

If you'd like to make a toast, you can either say "cin cin" or "salute". "Cin cin" recalls the sound the glasses make when clinked, while "salute" literally means health.

What is the Irish toast? ›

Sláinte means "health" in both Irish and Scottish Gaelic. It is commonly used as a drinking toast in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.

What do French people say for cheers? ›

Wondering how to say Cheers in French? You can say “Santé” which translates to “to your health”. A more polite way is to say “À votre santé!”, which is another common way to say cheers in French.

What does Chindon mean in Italian? ›

“Chin Don.” A popular toast on the east coast, Chin don is Italian. American slang roughly meaning “health for 100 years.

What does chin mean in slang? ›

chin (plural chins) The bottom of a face, (specifically) the typically jutting jawline below the mouth. (slang, US) Talk. (slang, Britain) A lie, a falsehood. (slang, Britain) A person of the upper class.

Do French say chin chin? ›

Or if one is feeling very French try 'tchin tchin'. With its silent 't' it is literally pronounced 'chin chin'. Coming from China the phrase 'ch'ing ch'ing' meaning 'please please' it was used as a invitation to drink.

Is there chin chin in America? ›

35 years later, Chin Chin has firmly established itself as one of the most iconic restaurant brands in America, with 7 locations throughout Southern California and in New York-New York Hotel & Casino™ on the Las Vegas strip.

What does chin chin mean in Cantonese? ›

From 請請, a repetition of 請/请 (Mandarin: qǐng; Cantonese: cing2), “please–please”.

When did chin chin start? ›

The renegade of the Australian dining scene, we do things our own way. Since 2011, Chin Chin has earned its place in Melbourne's cultural tapestry. Even though we've become a so-called institution, we're definitely not an establishment.

What do Italians say before drinking? ›

The Italian word for cheers is either “Salute” or “Cin Cin”. This is usually followed by “alla nostra salute”, which means “to your health”. If you would like to make a toast, you would say “fare un brindisi”. Italians love to say “cin cin” because it recalls the sound of glass touching when making the toast.

What do Italians say when you sneeze? ›

There are onomatopoetic words in both languages for the sound a sneeze makes: achoo in English and etcì / ecci in Italian. Whereas in English, we say Bless you! after a person has just sneezed, the Italians say Salute! which literally means Health! Etcì!

What do Italians say before eating? ›

"Buon appetito" is an italian phrase said before and during a meal, thus, it is certainly categorized as an eating phrase.

What do Sicilians say when they toast? ›

In Sicily, you'll hear saluti!

What is a popular Italian phrase? ›

Noi Non Potremo Avere Perfetta Vita Senza Amici – “We Couldn't Have a Perfect Life Without Friends” This quote by Dante Alighieri is one of the most famous Italian sayings still used in everyday speech despite its old-fashioned phrasing.

What do you say before drinking sake? ›

Say Cheers! Once everyone has been served, it's customary for everyone to raise their sake cups for a toast. The traditional word for 'cheers' in Japanese is 'Kanpai. ' Say it while gently touching the sake cups together before taking your first sip.

What is a Scottish toast? ›

The traditional Scottish Gaelic toast when raising a glass to say 'cheers' is Slàinte mhath which is pronounced slan-ge-var. In Scotland, going to the pub or meeting up for a friendly drink is very much part of our culture.

What is the most famous Irish saying? ›

What is the most famous Irish blessing? “May the road rise up to meet you” is one of the most famous Irish blessings.

What is the Irish toast for Cheers? ›

So how do you say “Cheers”? “Cheers” in Irish is sláinte which is pronounced a bit like “slawn-che”. Sláinte means “health”, and if you're feeling brave, you can say sláinte is táinte (“slawn-che iss toin-che”), meaning “health and wealth”.

How do Germans say cheers? ›

Prost! “ Translation: “Cheers! “

What do Americans call French toast? ›

The phrase “French Toast” first appeared in print in the Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink in 1871. But it is known by a variety of names including German toast, eggy bread, French-fried bread, gypsy toast, Poor Knights of Windsor, Spanish toast, nun's toast, and pain perdu which means “lost bread” in French.

What does Ciao Bella? ›

What does ciao bella mean? Ciao bella is an informal Italian expression literally meaning “goodbye (or hello), beautiful.”

What does Bobo mean in Italian? ›

boba [ˈbobu , ˈboba] adjective. silly , daft.

What are Italian kisses called? ›

Baci means kisses in Italian. It is the plural form of bacio, which is the Italian word for kiss. Adoro i baci!

What does 3 chins mean? ›

Having a double, or even a triple chin, is a common condition. Usually, it's nothing to worry about and is nothing more than a layer of fat that has formed under the chin. When that layer becomes substantial enough, it forms a wrinkle that creates the appearance of one or more extra chins.

What is the Latin word for chin? ›

Etymology. Learned borrowing from Latin mentum (“the chin”).

What do Koreans say for cheers? ›

Cheers in Korean: 건배 / Geonbae

In Korea, the word 건배 (or geonbae) literally means “empty glass”, making it similar to the stateside expression “bottoms up”.

What does toast mean in Italy? ›

If you want toast in Italy, make sure you order “pane tostato” because if you just tell the waiter that you want “toast”, you will receive a toasted ham and cheese sandwich. In Italy, “toast” means a toasted ham and cheese sandwich.

What ethnicity has chin dimples? ›

Cleft chins are common among people originating from Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. There is a possible genetic cause for cleft chins, a genetic marker called rs11684042, which is located in chromosome 2.

Which chin is rare? ›

Cleft Chins or Butt chin, as experts say, are usually generic traits. They say that there are only 6% of people with butt chin and they get special attention because of their attractive look. Cleft chin undoubtedly makes a person look very attractive and quite unique, to which their smile adds more.

Do triple chins exist? ›

As we age and with weight gain, the skin beneath the chin and on the neck can sometimes stretch out. The excess fat and skin can result in the dreaded double – or triple – chin.

What does chin fu mean? ›

chén fǔ trite clichéd empty and trite banality platitude.

Who is Chin Chin owned by? ›

The brains behind the cult Chin Chin chain, Chris Lucas, has offloaded his very trendy $6m Kings Cross apartment.

Is Chin Chin natural? ›

Chin Chin Vinho Verde is produced by Quinta Do Ermizio in northern Portugal. Although not fully Natural the grapes produced are organic and the Chin Chin Vinho Verde is the perfect wine to keep stocked up for any occasion. This 2022 Chin Chin Wine is perfect for any occasion and is the perfect palate freshener.

Is chin chin Portuguese? ›

About: The legendary Chin Chin Vinho Verde from Quinta do Ermizio in Northern Portugal. The team from Noble Rot work with Antonio Monteiro at his 15 hectare farm to import this spritzy white, bursting with energy.

Is chin Chinese or Korean? ›

Chin is a surname. As a Chinese surname or Korean surname, it could originate from various Chinese characters (including 陳, 錢, and 秦), and it is also a surname in other cultures as well.

Who founded chin chin? ›

Dim sum has long been an art form at Chinese restaurants around the world. But it took a fellow named Bob Mandler, who founded Chin Chin in 1983, to mainstream dim sum . . . and it took him 16 years to open an O.C. branch.

What is the history of chin chin in Nigeria? ›

Throughout West Africa and Nigeria Chin Chin originally was prepared for special occasions. It has evolved from a special occasion food to being a snack food, sold on street corners, kiosk and supermarkets. Growing up, it was customary at most homes in Cameroon, to make this delicious snack during the Christmas season.

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